What is Lyme Disease?
Lyme disease is a tick-borne illness, caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi, primarily being spread by deer ticks. The disease is mainly found in the eastern United States and the upper Midwest. Though many people disregard tick bites, Lyme disease is a very serious illness that can cause many issues, such as: recurrent arthritis, mood impairment, facial muscle paralysis and even meningitis or encephalitis. These symptoms tend to resolve on their own, however can be very problematic.
The most at risk population could be defined as individuals who live near wooded or grassy areas, or spend a great amount of time in these areas.
The most at risk population could be defined as individuals who live near wooded or grassy areas, or spend a great amount of time in these areas.
Who is affected?
- Individuals who live near or spend time in grassy and/or wooded areas.
- Ticks live and breed in grassy and wooded areas, thus it would be probable that spending time in these areas would increase tick exposure and consequentially exposure to Lyme disease.
- Individuals with limited knowledge or awareness of ticks or that they spread disease.
- A person who has no background knowledge of ticks or where they live, will be unlikely to check themselves for ticks. This will increase chances of becoming infected, if they are bitten by a deer tick.
- Individuals who have exposed skin in areas of high tick populations.
- Ticks can only transmit disease if they bite a host and feed on their blood, which in turn releases the bacteria via the ticks’ mouth. A person wearing short sleeves or shorts is exposing themselves to a higher chance of being bitten by a tick.
How is it transmitted?
Lyme disease is caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi. The bacteria is passed to the host that the tick has bitten, when the tick has its “blood meal.” The bacterium is transmitted through the ticks mouth parts into the hosts bloodstream, while the tick is feeding.
Why has incidence increased?
- We will focus on a few different theories, including but not limited to:
- Decrease in red fox population, directly correlating to the increase in rodent populations
- Deforestation, causing displacement of ticks and their carriers
- Deer overpopulation
- Climate change
- Other possible carriers
Public health significance
Lyme disease is a highly treatable illness. However, if this disease goes undiagnosed, it can cause many health problems that can be detrimental to an individual. Arthritis, facial paralysis, mood impairment, difficulty sleeping and even meningitis and encephalitis have all been reported in late stage Lyme disease. The important thing is that Lyme diseases is preventable, and treatable.
Preventative measures
- Just as the number one combatant for the spread of disease is hand washing, Lyme disease can also be prevented by following some simple steps.
- Avoid heavily wooded or grassy areas. If you must be in these areas, make sure to wear long sleeves and pants and to avoid clothes that fit too loosely.
- Utilize insect repellant
- Do not stray from trails in forests
- Always check yourself for ticks if you have any inclination that you may have been in a heavily tick infested area.
- If you do find a tick, promptly remove it by grasping the ticks mouthparts and pulling steadily and directly away from the skin.
- If you have bitten by a tick and notice a rash beginning to form, do not hesitate to call the doctor.
- Check pets for ticks that are indoor/outdoor as well as utilizing preventative measures such as Frontline.
Conclusions
Lyme disease is a serious, however preventable and treatable disease. Taking the proper precautionary steps is a very effective tool in minimizing risk of exposure. As with anything, the most powerful tool that an individual can arm themselves with is knowledge. If a person has background information that encompasses Lyme disease, they are much more likely to make informed decisions.